● A demonstrative is definite. When it comes at the beginning of a sentence and is followed by an indefinite noun, it forms a nominal sentence.
● In this structure, the demonstrative is the subject (mubtadaʾ) and the indefinite noun is the predicate (khabar), producing the meaning of 'is' or 'are' in English:
○ This is a boy. -> هٰذَا وَلَدٌ
○ This is a girl. -> هٰذِهِ بِنْتٌ
○ That is a door. -> ذٰلِكَ بَابٌ
○ That is a window. -> تِلْكَ نَافِذَةٌ
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A Demonstrative as the Subject
Introduction to Demonstratives and Their Rules
● A demonstrative is definite. When it comes at the beginning of a sentence and is followed by an indefinite noun, it forms a nominal sentence.
● In this structure, the demonstrative is the subject (mubtadaʾ) and the indefinite noun is the predicate (khabar), producing the meaning of 'is' or 'are' in English:
○ This is a boy. -> هٰذَا وَلَدٌ
○ This is a girl. -> هٰذِهِ بِنْتٌ
○ That is a door. -> ذٰلِكَ بَابٌ
○ That is a window. -> تِلْكَ نَافِذَةٌ